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An-Numan bin Bashir narrated that the Messenger of Allah said: “The example of the person abiding by Allah’s order and restrictions in comparison to those who violate them is like the example of those persons who drew lots for their seats in a boat. Some of them got seats in the upper part, and the others in the lower. When the latter needed water, they had to go up to bring water (and that troubled the others), so they said, ‘Let us make a hole in our share of the ship (and get water) saving those who are above us from troubling them. So, if the people in the upper part left the others do what they had suggested, all the people of the ship would be destroyed, but if they prevented them, both parties would be safe.” Imam Buhari.

The Messenger of Allah reflected and described in this hadith the community and the obligation of preventing those who make mischief. Allah said in surah Al-Ankabut 43: And these examples We present to the people, but none will understand them except those of knowledge.

The Messenger of Allah describes our community in the form or shape of the boat that floats on the sea like mountain, and in the nave are two groups or categories of people: The good one and villains or the evil one. The villains are on the lower part of the boat while the good are at the top. Because these at the bottom of the ships they say; that we pierced a hole for our needs, not to disturb the above us. If they allow these above them, and they are not preventing them all will be destroyed and submerged, and if they prevent them from it, all would be saved.

Allah said in surah Al-Anfal 25: And fear a trial which will not strike those who have wronged among you exclusively, and know that Allah is severe in penalty.

Fitna when it came it will encompass everything and everyone, the good once and the bad once. Allah says in Surah Al-Aa’araf 163,164,165: And ask them about the town that was by the sea – when they transgressed in [the matter of] the Sabbath – when their fish came to them openly on their Sabbath day, and the day they had no Sabbath they did not come to them. Thus did We give them trial because they were defiantly disobedient. And when a community among them said, “Why do you advise [or warn] a people whom Allah is [about] to destroy or to punish with a severe punishment?” they [the advisors] said, “To be absolved before your Lord and perhaps they may fear Him.” And when they forgot that by which they had been reminded, We saved those who had forbidden evil and seized those who wronged, with a wretched punishment, because they were defiantly disobeying.

Here Allah mentions three categories: 1- the group that enjoins good and that keeps the limits of Allah. 2- the group that makes a mess! 3- the group in silence. Those who are silent speak to those who warn: Why do you advise (or warn) a people whom Allah is (about) to destroy or to punish with a severe punishment? They (the advisors) said that there are two reasons: 1- to be absolved before your Lord 2- And perhaps they may fear Him.

The biggest problem today is the proliferation of sin such as adultery and fornication, same-sex relationships, backbiting, gossiping, slandering, hatred, jealousy and so on. So dear brothers even the prayer (the supplication) is not acceptable and there we close the door. This is shown by the Messenger of Allah, in hadith which recorded by Imam Abu Dawud from Aisha r,a: Verily Allah says; enjoy and order good and forbid the evil before you call Me and I will nor respond to you, and you will ask Me and I will not answer to you, and you will ask Me for help and victory and I’ll not help you.

Hudhaifah reported: The Prophet said, “By Him in Whose Hand my life is, you either enjoin good and forbid evil, or Allah will certainly soon send His punishment to you. Then you will make supplication and it will not be accepted“. At-Tirmidhi. Abu Bakr As-Siddiq reported: “O you people! You recite this Verse: `O you who believe! Take care of your own selves. If you follow the (right) guidanceand enjoin what is right and forbid what is wrong no hurt can come to you from those who are in error.’ (5:105) But I have heard Messenger of Allah saying: “When people see an oppressor but do not prevent him from (doing evil), it is likely that Allah will punishthem all.” Abu Dawud and At-Tirmidhi.

Allah said in surah Al-Maidah 78-79: Cursed were those who disbelieved among the Children of Israel by the tongue of David and of Jesus, the son of Mary. That was because they disobeyed and [habitually] transgressed. They used not to prevent one another from wrongdoing that they did. How wretched was that which they were doing.

And Allah said in surah An-Nisa 123: Paradise is not [obtained] by your wishful thinking nor by that of the People of the Scripture. Whoever does a wrong will be recompensed for it, and he will not find besides Allah a protector or a helper.

That is why the Ummah of Islam is the best ummah, because enjoin good and forbidding an evil, according to the ayah in Surah Ali Imran 110: You are the best nation produced [as an example] for mankind. You enjoin what is right and forbid what is wrong and believe in Allah. If only the People of the Scripture had believed, it would have been better for them. Among them are believers, but most of them are defiantly disobedient.